Florida has backlog of more than 13,000 unsubmitted rape test kits, state officials say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says more than 13,000 rape test kits around the state have not been submitted for processing.

Managing that backlog could cost the state tens of millions of dollars and take several years.

The FDLE released results Monday of a $300,000 study on the number of untested kits and will present the findings to the Legislature.

The report said estimates of managing the backlog range from about $9 million to $32 million dollars.

Rape kit testing backlogs has been an issue across the U.S. In September, federal officials said an estimated 70,000 rape kits sitting in laboratories and evidence collection rooms across the country will be tested.